Carrying case catch or lock



Aug. 9, 1949. G. E. swANsoN CARRYING QAsE CATCH 0R Locx Filed April 11 1946 K |NvENToR GU'NNAR E.SWAN5ON ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 9, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARRYING CASE CATCH R LOCK Gunnar E. Swanson, New Britain, Conn.

Application April 11, 1946, Serial No. 661,267

16 Claims.

The invention relates to a catch or lock adapted for use on a carrying case or suitcase or trunk or chest or any other similar container. The catch or lock comprises two cooperating units, one adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover, and the other adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the body.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple self-latching catch having a manually engageable bolt-releasing arm so positioned that pressure applied thereto in the cover opening direction serves not only to release the bolt, but also to move the cover in the opening direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple catch having two self-latching bolts and having two bolt-releasing arms adapted to be engaged by the same hand of the user so that the bolts can be released simultaneously, the said d arms being so positioned that when pressures are applied thereto to move the bolts, the said pressures tend. to separate the cover and the body. The two bolts may be carried by the same unit, or they may be carried one by one unit and the other by the other unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combined catch and lock wherein at least one bolt is carried by one unit, and wherein the lock is carried by the other unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a combined catch and lock wherein there are two bolts with at least one of them on one unit, and wherein the lock is on the other unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a combined catch and lock having two bolts, one on one unit and one on the other unit, and wherein the lock is on one of the units and serves to lock both of the bolts.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

In the drawing I have shown in detail two embodiments of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions shown, and that the drawing I is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scape of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specication being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing,

1 is a front view of a combined catch and lock embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the catch and lock shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. Z.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the bolts in their released positions.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a front view oi the tumbler of the lock.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 8 3 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a key which may be used for operating the lock.

Fig. 10 is a front view of an alternative combined catch and lock embodying the invention.

Fig. 1l is a side view of the combined catch and lock shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. l2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line I2 I2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the bolts in their released positions.

Fig. 14 is an edge view of one bolt taken in the direction indicated by the arrows I4, I4 in Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is an edge view of the other bolt taken in the direction indicated by the arrows I5, I5 in Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a front view of the tumbler of the lock.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line I'I I1 of Fig. 16.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Figs. 1 to 9 thereof, there is provided a housing I0 adapted to be mounted on the cover I2 of the case immediately adjacent the body thereof. A housing I4 is provided which is adapted to be mounted on the body IS of the case immediately adjacent the cover.

The cover unit comprising the housing I 0 carries at least one movable bolt I8, which is preierably movable about a pivotal axis perpendicular to the face of the cover. As shown, the housing II] is provided with an integral boss 2B' which serves as a pivotal support for the bolt I8. The unit comprising the housing I4 is provided with a strike 22 adapted to be engaged by the bolt I8, the kbolt being of hook form so as to suitably engage the strike. A spring 24 engages an inward projecting ilnger on the bolt I8 at the top thereof and tends to hold the bolt in its strike engaging position as shown in Fig. 3.

The bolt I8 is provided with a finger engageable arm 26 by means of which it can be moved in opposition to the spring 24 to disengage the strike 22. It will be seen that the arm 26 is so positioned with relation to' the pivotal axis of the bolt I8 that pressure applied to the said arm in the bolt disengaging direction, that is, in the upward direction, serves not only to disengage the bolt from the strike, but also serves to move the cover away from the body, that is, in the opening direction.

Preferably the catch includes two bolts, and as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, both bolts are mounted on the cover unit comprising the housing I0. The

second bolt 28 is the same in construction as the bolt i8 except that it is mounted in reversed position. It is pivotally mounted on a boss 30 similar to the vboss 2G-a nd it isadapted to engage a vstrike ,32 similar to the strike 22 V,and formed on the housing I4. The same spring 24 engages both bolts and tends to hold them in their strike engaging positions. Ihe bolt 2 8 is provided with a finger engageable arm 34 similar to the arm 2t for moving the bolt ,i-nthezdisengaging direction. It will be seen that the two arms 2t and 34 are so positioned-that they can be engaged simultaneously by the samehandof the user. When both arms are pressed upward the two boltsare disengaged simultaneously from their strikes and the pressures exerted on the arms to disengage the bolts also serve to move the cover in the opening direction.

The two bosses 2d `and v3l) on the cover unit preferably extend rearward through arear retaining plate for the unit, the rear en ds ofthe bosses being rivetedover to hol'dthe plate. The bosses are apertured to receive rivets for attaching the unitto the cover. 'The body unit preferably hasarea-r retaining plate'held by similarly apertured rearward extendingbosses on the housing i4.

The device preferably ,alsoincludesa'key operated lock, and in accordance ,with the invention this lockis located on the unit other than that which carries at'least one of themovable bolts. When both bolts are'mountedon the cover unit as shown -and described, -theflock' is mounted on-the body unit.

As shown, the lock comprises a tumbler di] rotatable in a recess formed in the body vhousing M and the tumbleris vrotatable-by means of a key 2 which can be inserted through a keyhole dll-in the housing I4. The-tumbler dll-is provided 'with a central forward extending flange i6 and with twolateral-forward eXtending-anges 48, 48. The tumbler-is releasablyfheldin its locking position, asshowninFigB, by-meansof a'spring '5B which engages the flower yedges of 'the anges 138, ,6.53. Withthetumbler in this-.position the flange i5 .is positioned beneath :two inward extending fingers on the respective bolts .i8 and 28, and it thus serves to preventsuficient movementfof the bolts to effect disengagement.

By means of theykey 42 the tumblerdi) can be -l turnedr in either direction :to thezunlocking position -snownfin Fig. 4. ilnfsprrnoving'the, Spring .5G yields to -permit'one ofvthe liia'nges 48" and also vthe angeffitogpass byit so thatthelainge 46 occupies :the `lower YcentralY position :shown in Fig. e. In this position Lthe spring U :ellgages the lower edges of theanges :48,148 toreleasably hold thetumbler inthe unlockingposition. With the tumbler in theposition shown in Fig. 4 the bolts are free and the user,.bypressngupward on the arms ,2li and 3e, canswing-.the bolts in opposite directions to disengage them from the strikes 22 and 32. It will be-seen thatcontinued upward pressures-on the arms 26and Btl-serve to move theK coverin the openingdirectionsand away from thebody. As soon asthearmsfZBand 34 are released7 the spring -24 Vserves-to restore the .bolts tothe relative-positiohsshown in Fig. 3 Ibut out ofengagement with the strikes.2 2 and 32.

`When the covergis returnedfto-its-closed position, the inclined surfaces on the bolts and on the strikes serve to cam the bolts zoutward -in oppositionto the spring `2Ilsutliciently to enable the bolts to reengage` thefstrikes. A.After ,therbolts have been reengaged with the strikes the tumbler 4 d@ can be turned by means of the key 42 back to the locked position shown in Fig. 3.

The alternative construction shown in Figs. 1) to 17 isinmany respectslsimilar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 9-but it diifersessentially in that one of the two bolts, instead of being mounted on the Q,Over unit, is mounted on the body unit. The housing comprising a part of the cover unit is shown-at 52 and the housing comprising a part of the body unitis shown at 54. Preferably, the two housings 52 and 54 are semi-cylindrical so thatthey cooperate to form a complete cylinder.

Thecover unit comprising the housing 52 carries a movable bolt 55 which is preferably movable about apivotal axisrperpendicular to the face ofthe cover. As shown, 'the housing 52 is provided with an integral boss 58 which serves as a pivotal support for'the bolt 56. The unit comprising thehousing I5i is,provided with a strike adaptedto be engaged'bythe bolt 5t, the bolt beingof hook form so as to suitably engage the strike. VThe bolt56 and-the strike 60 cooperate, when engaged, to retain the cover in closed position. A spring 6 2 engages an inward projecting nngeron the bolt56 near the top thereof and ends'to hold'the bolt in itsstrike engaging position as shown in Fig. 12. The bolt 56 is provided with alinger engageablearm 64 by means ofwhich it can 'be movedin opposition to the spring 62 todisengage the strike 60. It will ,be seen that thea-rm Mis so positioned with Arelation to the pivotal axis of the bolt 56 that pressure applied to the said arminthelbolt vdisengaging direction, that is, inthe upper direction, serves not only to disengagethebolt from the strike, but also serves to movethe cover away from the body.

The body unit comprising the housing 54 carries amor/able bolt 5 5 which is preferably movableabouta pivotalaxisperpendicular to the face of the body. As shown, thehousing 54 is provided with an integral boss 68 whiclrserves as a pivotal supportjor the bolt 6 5. 'I he cover unit is provided with vastrike 1 0 adapted to be engaged by the bolt 55, the bolt being of hook form so as to suitably engage the strike. As shown, the strike Filis a part Ofaseparate member 'i2 rigidly carried bythe housing 52. The bolt 66 and the strike 'lll cooperate, whenengaged, to additionally retain thecover in closedposition A spring 14 engagesan inward projeotingiinger on the bolt 65 A:meer the bottom .thereofand tends to hold the bolt in its .strike engaging position as shown in Fig. 12.

The boit 66 is provided with a finger engageable 3 arm T Srby meansf .which it can be moved in oppositionto thesprmg .1 4 todisengage the strike it. It will `be seen that the arms 64 and 'I6 aremoved in opposite directions, that is, respectively upward and downward, to disengage the correspondingbolts. The two arms are so positoned ,that theycan be engaged by the same hand ofthe user and when the user, after engag.- ing the two arms, moves his hand in the clockwise direction, the two arms are moved to disengage the boltsand alsotoseparate the cover and the body. Pressure applied to the arm B4 tends to movethe cover upward;and pressure applied to the arm 'i6 tends to move the body downward.

`While not shownin the drawing it will be understood that the cover andbody units may be provided respectively with rear retaining plates held in place by means .similar to those already describedin connection with the retaining plates 36 and 38.

The device shown in Figs. to 17 preferably also includes a key-operated lock and in accordance with the invention this lock is located on one of the units but nevertheless serves to lock both of the bolts. As shown, the lock is mounted on the body unit and it comprises a tumbler 1B positioned in a recess in the rear part of the housing 5d. The tumbler iii is essentially a flat plate with notches 8i) and 32 formed therein and with forward extending projections 84, 84. The tumbler is releasably held in its locking position as shown in Fig. 12 by means of another portion of the same spring 'I4 which has already been referred to as biasing the bolt B6. This spring engages one of the projections 34 to releasably hold the tumbler in the position shown.

The bolt 56 has a rearward offset 86 as shown in Fig. 14 which engages the edge of the tumbler 18 when the tumbler is in the locking position as shown in Fig. 12. The bolt 66 has a rearward oiset 88 which engages the edge of the tumbler i8 when the tumbler is in the locking position. Thus the tumbler serves to prevent suiiicient movement of the bolts to eiect disengagement.

By means of a key similar to the key 42 shown in Fig. 9 the tumbler i8 can be turned in either direction to the unlocking position shown in Fig. 13. In so moving the spring 14 yields to permit the right hand projection 84, as viewed in Fig. 1,2, to pass by it, and when the unlocking position shown in Fig. 13 is reached the spring engages the other projection 84. With the tumbler in the unlocking position the offset 86 on the bolt 55 can move into the notch 80 of the tumbler and the oiiset 88 on the bolt E6 can move into the notch 82 of the tumbler. With the tumbler in the position shown in Fig. 13 the bolts are free and the user, by pressing upward and downward on the respective arms E4 and 76, can swing the bolts in opposite directions to disengage them from the strikes 59 and 10, and continued preseure applied to the arms serves to separate the cover and. the body in the manner already described. As soon as the arms 64 and 16 are released the springs 52 and 'i4 serve to restore the bolts to the relative positions shown in Fig. 12 but out of engagement with the strikes 50 and 10.

When the cover is returned to its closed position the inclined surfaces on the bolts and on the strikes serve to cam the bolts outward in opposition to the springs sufliciently to enable them to reengage the strikes. After the bolts have been reengaged with the strikes, the tumbler 18 can be turned by means of the key back to the locking position shown in Fig. l2.

It will be observed that in each embodiment of the invention, pressures applied to the arms for disengaging the bolts serve also to separate the cover and the body. In each embodiment the two bolts may be locked in engaging positions, the lock being carried by one unit and serving to lock at least one bolt on the other unit. In each embodiment the bolts are independently movable, the result being that the cover remains latched notwithstanding the accidental disengagement of one bolt.

What I claim is:

1. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the body thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the said cover, a movable bolt on the cover unit engageable with the body unit to hold the cover in closed position, a movable bolt on the body unit engageable with the cover unit to hold the cover in closed position, springs tending to hold the bolts in their positions of engagement, and two arms on the respective bolts engageable by the same hand of the user for moving the bolts simultaneously to eiect disengagement thereof.

2. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the body thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the said cover, a bolt on the cover unit pivotally movable about an axis perpendicular to the face of the cover and engageable with the body unit to hold the cover in closed position, a bolt on the body unit pivotally movable about an axis perpendicular to the face of the body and engageable with the cover unit to hold the cover in closed position, springs tending to hold the bolts in their positions of engagement, and two arms on the respective bolts engageable by the same hand of the user for pivotally moving the bolts simultaneously to eifeot disengagement thereof.

3. A catch for use on a carrying case or the like comprising in combination, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the body thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the said cover, a bolt on the cover unit pivotally movable about an axis perpendicular to the face of the cover and engageable with the body unit to hold the cover in closed position, a bolt on the body unit pivotally movable about an axis perpendicular to the face of the body and engageable with the cover unit to hold the cover in closed position, springs tending to hold the bolts in their positions of engagement, and two arms on the respective bolts engageable by the same hand oi the user for pivotally moving the bolts simultaneously in the same rotative direction to eiect disengagement thereof, the said elements being so positioned with respect to the pivotal axes of the bolts that pressures applied thereto serve not only to move the bolts to effect disengagement but also to separate the cover and the body.

4. The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying case or the like, of a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the said body, a strike carried by one unit, a bolt mounted on the other unit and movable relatively thereto into and out of latching engagement with the strike, and means on the strike carrying unit engageable with the relatively movable bolt on the other unit to releasably hold the bolt so as to prevent relative movement thereof out of strike engaging position.

5. The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying case or the like, lof a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the said body, a strike carried by one unit, a bolt mounted on the other unit and movable relatively thereto into and out of latching engagement with the strike, and a key operated lock on the strike carrying unit engageable with the relatively movable boit on the other unit to releasably hold the bolt so as to prevent relative movement thereof out of strike engaging position.

6. The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying case or the like, of a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted onl thefcoverof i thecase adjacent 'the said body', astrikefcarried'by one unit, a bolt mounted on the other-unitand pivotally movable into and out `of latching-engagement with the strike, the saldbolt'havinga finger that is movable toward the strike carrying unit during movement of the bolt outoflatchingA engagement, and a key operated'lock on the-strike carrying unit engageable With'the'sai'd nger on the bolt to releasably hold theboltin latching engagement with the strike. "7. Thecombination in a catch or lock for use ona carrying case or the like, of a unit adapted to be mountedon thebody of the case adjacent the cover'thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the said body, a strike carried by one unit, a bolt movably mounted on the other unit and so positioned that itis'engageabl'e with the strike to hold the cover in Vclosedv position, a spring tending to hold the bolt ,in its strike engaging position, a nger engageable arm on the bolt for moving it in the strike disengaging direction, and a key operated lock on the strike carrying unit engageable with the relatively movable bolt on the other unit to releasably hold the bolt so as to prevent relative movement thereof out of strike engaging position.

8.'The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying'case or the like, of a unit adapted to be-mou-nted onfthebody of the case adjacent the cover thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on'the cover Aof the case adjacent the said body, astrike carried rby the body unit, a hook bolt mounted on the cover unit for pivotal movement about anaxis perpendicular to the face of the cover andsopositioned that it is engageable with the strike to h old the cover in closed position, a

spring tending to holdthe bolt in its strike engag-,

pressure applied ,thereto in the cover opening direction serves not only to move the bolt in the strike disengaging direction but also to move the cover in thesaid opening direction, and a key operated lock on the body unit engageable with the bolt on 'the cover unit to releasably hold it in strike engaging position.

9. The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying case or the like, of a unit adapted to bemounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the said body, a movable bolt carried by one of the said units, as econd movable bolt carried by one of the said units, two means associated with the said units and Vengageable respectively by the said bolts for retaining the .cover in closed position, spring means tending to hold the bolts in their positions of engagement with the said retaining means, two arms on the respectivel boltsengageable by the same hand of the user for moving them simultaneously in their disengaging directions, and a keyoperated lock on the unit other than that carrying the'rst said bolt and engageable with both of the bolts to releasably hold them in their engaging positions.

10. The combination'in a `c atch or lock for use on a carrying case or the like, of a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the said body, a bolt carried by one of the units and pivotally movable about an'axis perpendicular to the face on which'the unit is mounted, a'second bolt carried by lone of the units and pivotally movable about an axis-perpendicular to the face on which the uniti is mounted, 'two means associated with the saidzunits and engageable respectively by the said bolts for retaining'the cover in closed position, spring means tending'to hold the bolts in theirv positions'ofengagement with the said retaining means; two oppositely projecting arms on the respective-bolts engageable by the same hand of the user and so positioned with respect to the said pivotal axes of the bolts that pressures applied thereto infthe bolt disengaging directions serveitoseparate'the cover and the body, and a key operatedlock on the unit other than that carrying Vvtheirst sad'bolt-and engageable with both of the bolts to releasably hold them in their engaging positions.

11.v The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying case-or the like, of a unit adapted to be mounted on the bodyof the case adjacent the cover thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on 'the cover ofthe case adjacent the said body, a strike carriedby one unit, two bolts mounted on the other unit and movable in opposite directions intoand out 0f vlatcliing engagement with the strike, and means on the strike carrying unit engageable withthebolts on the other unit to releasably hold 'them in strike engaging positions.

12. VThe combination'in a catch or lock for use on acarrying case or the like, of a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the said body, a strike carried by one-unit, two bolts pivotally mounted on the'other unit and movable in opposite directions into and out of latching engagement with the strike, and a key operated lock on the strike carrying unit engageable with the bolts on the other unit'to releasably hold them in strike engaging positions.

13. The combination in a catch or lock for use on-ay carrying case or the like, of a strike carrying unit adapted'tobe mounted on the body of the case adjacent'thecover thereof, a unit adapted to bemountedon the cover of the case adjacent'thefsaid'body and comprising two hook bolts pivotally movable in opposite directions about axes perpendicular 'to the face of the cover, the said 'bolts being so positioned that the hooks thereof are both engageable with the strike to hold the cover in closed position, spring means tending tofhold thelbolts in their strike engaging positions, two oppositely projecting arms on the respective bolts engageable by the same hand of the user and so positioned With respect to the said pivotal axes that pressures applied thereto in the cover opening direction serve not only to move the bolts oppositely in the strike disengagingdirections but also to move the cover in the said opening direction, and a key operated lock on the strike carrying unit engageable with both of the bolts to releasably hold them in their strike engaging positions.

14. The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying case or the like, of a strike carrying unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the cover thereof, a housing adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the said body, two hook bolts supported in the housing for pivotal movements in opposite directions about axes perpendicular to the face of the cover, the said-bolts having the hooks thereof extending toward each other and so positioned that both of them are engageable with the strike to hold the cover Ain closed position, spring means tendingto hold the bolts in their strike engaging positions, Ytwo arms on `the respective bolts projecting oppositely from the sides of the housing and engageable by the same hand of the user, the said arms being so positioned with respect to the said pivotal axes oi the bolts that pressures applied thereto in the cover opening direction serve not only to move the bolts oppositely in the strike disengaging directions but also to move the cover in the opening direction, and a key operated lock on the strike carrying unit engageable with .both of the bolts to releasably hold them in their strike engaging positions,

15. The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying case or the like, of a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the body thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the said cover, a movable bolt on the cover unit engageable with the body unit to hold the cover in closed position, a movable bolt on the body unit engageable with the cover unit to hold the cover in closed position, springs tending to hold the bolts in their positions of engagement, two arms on the respective bolts engageable by the same hand of the user for moving the bolts simultaneously to effect disengagement thereof, and a key operated lock on one of the units engageable with both of the bolts to releasably hold them in their engaging positions.

16. The combination in a catch or lock for use on a carrying case or the like, of a unit adapted to be mounted on the cover of the case adjacent the body thereof, a unit adapted to be mounted on the body of the case adjacent the said cover, a bolt on the cover unit pivotally movable about 10 an axis perpendicular to the face of the cover and engageable with the body unit to hold the cover in closed position, a bolt on the body unit pivotally movable about an axis perpendicular to the face of the body and engageable With the cover unit to hold the cover in closed position, springs tending to hold the bolts in their positions of engagement, two arms on the respective bolts engageable by the same hand of the user for pivotally moving the bolts simultaneously in the same rotative direction to effect disengagement thereof, the said elements being so positioned with respect to the pivotal axes of the bolts that pressures applied thereto serve not only to move the bolts to effect disengagement but also to separate the cover and the body, and a key operated lock on one of the units engageable with both of the bolts to releasably hold them in their engaging positions.

GUNNAR E. SWANSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 60,257 Roulstone Dec. 4,"1866 1,883,072 Stone Oct. 18, 1932 2,399,302 Thiele Apr. 30, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 289,223 Great Britain Apr. 26, 1928 

